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Representative Courtenay Sprunger, House District 7

In this episode we’re diving deeper into specific legislation in this 68th Montana Legislative Session in our interview with Representative Courtenay Sprunger.  Representative Sprunger, who is a former chair of the Kalispell Chamber board and is also the CEO and founder of Big Sky Public Relations, has sponsored a number of bills that have gained traction this session.  From the recent passing of the SAFER Act to discussing state aid for public libraries, community safety, liquor licensing legislation, and an adoption tax credit, Representative Sprunger speaks more about the nature and genesis of these bills and their impacts and benefits to the local Flathead community and Montanans as a whole.    

Links: 

• Big Sky Public Relations
• HB257
• HB91
• HB267

This episode is sponsored by:
Nomad GCS | Discover Kalispell Chamber |  WorkForce Flathead

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Erica Wirtala, Chair, The Discover Kalispell Government Affairs Committee

It’s Montana’s 68th legislative session – every two years, for 90 days, the state’s legislators work intensively and tirelessly to move forward bills that will craft the newest legislation for the state.  As the voice of business for our member businesses, the Discover Kalispell Chamber is actively involved in monitoring bills as they move through the House and Senate. The chamber supports, opposes, and monitors bills following the chamber’s own legislative guidelines, and during the legislative session, in addition to regularly scheduled monthly Government Affairs meetings (to which all chamber members are invited), additional bi-weekly meetings are held for members to hear directly from guest legislators.  Learn more about the legislation that the chamber is closely following right now on behalf of the business community, how the chamber’s Government Affairs committee works, and how your chamber advocates on behalf of the business community in this podcast.

Links

• Discover Kalispell Chamber: Legislative Priorities & Agenda

This episode is sponsored by:
Nomad GCS | Discover Kalispell Chamber |  WorkForce Flathead.

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Dr. Jane Karas, President of Flathead Valley Community College

Visionary. Leader. Innovator. These are words often used when describing our podcast guest, Dr. Jane Karas, President of Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC).  Dr. Karas was awarded the Kalispell Chamber’s highest honor, the Flathead Legacy Award, for her outstanding contributions to the Flathead Valley community through her work at FVCC.  Dr. Karas has been President of FVCC for over 20 years, helming the college through a variety of economic climates while steadily growing the college’s programming, facilities, and campus.  She has overseen expansion and addition of the campus buildings, including the Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science, Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons, construction of the first dormitory- Founders Hall, and most recently, the construction and opening of the Wachholz College Center, a unique facility which combines an event center with a gymnasium and fitness center with a 1000+ seat performing arts center, recital hall, art gallery, and outdoor amphitheater. Her leadership has transformed the college, and more importantly, helped shape the educational opportunities for the valley’s workforce past, present, and future.  Join us as we learn more about Dr. Karas’ college leadership and vision for the future of FVCC and Kalispell.

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Micah Hill, Superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools

Join us for this podcast with Micah Hill, the award-winning Superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools.  As the leader of the largest school district in northwest Montana, Micah has deftly navigated the waters through Covid and is helping to usher in  transformational education for the district.  Micah, a northwest Montana native, has devoted his career to education and leadership and was awarded the Kalispell Chamber’s 2022 Educator of the Year Award.  On this podcast, Micah will touch on his inspiration to go into the field of education, transformational education, partnerships with the business community and student internships and externships, school funding, and more.

Links: 

• Kalispell Public Schools

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Featuring Jason Cronk, CEO Immanuel Lutheran Communities

This episode is sponsored by Nomad GCS, Discover Kalispell Chamber, and Workforce Flathead.

In November 2022, Immanuel Lutheran Communities (ILC) was awarded the nonprofit of the year award by the Discover Kalispell Chamber.  ILC has been providing homes and care for seniors for over 65 years in Kalispell, and has been innovating and growing ever since.  Its Kalispell campus includes independent living villas and apartments, assisted living, rehab care, long term and memory care. 

Links

• Immanuel Lutheran Communities
• Great Place to Work Certified
• Montana Hospital Association Names Immanuel Lutheran Communities “Best Place To Work”

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Featuring Corinne Kuntz, Founder/Owner of The Birds Nest – Early Learning Village

This episode is sponsored by Nomad GCS, Discover Kalispell Chamber, and Workforce Flathead.

Quality child care is a critical need throughout the country and it’s no different for Kalispell.  The Kalispell Chamber initiated a child care study in 2021 and has been facilitating conversations about and growth in the availability of licensed child care locations.  Corinne Kuntz is an innovative, entrepreneurial founder and owner of The Birds Nest – Early Learning Village which was recently awarded a $1 million grant to expand her business for caring for and educating young children in Kalispell. 

Links

• The Birds Nest Early Learning Village
• The Birds Nest Facebook Page
• Montana Licensed Provider Search (programs that are licensed and monitored)
  STARS to Quality Provider Search (programs that meet higher quality & educational standards)
• Best Beginnings Scholarship Information

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Featuring: Gabe Mariman, Co-owner and General Manager of Bias Brewing, winner of the 2022 Discover Kalispell Chamber Small Business of the Year

This episode sponsored by: Nomad GCS  |  Discover Kalispell Chamber  |  Workforce Flathead

November 26-December 24 is Small Business Season, and in this episode we are talking with a fantastic, award-winning, small business located in the heart of downtown Kalispell Bias Brewing.

Links

• Nate Chute Foundation  
• Frosty the Brewfest  
• Parkline Trail Run (September 2022 event)
• Postpartum Resource Group 

  Topics include:

• Why start a business in Kalispell?
• Creating a successful business culture
• Philanthropy and business
• Building community
• Small business season

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]

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Featuring:

• Lorraine Clarno, President & CEO of the Discover Kalispell Chamber
• Tagen Vine, Chamber Board Chair and Chief Development Officer for the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation

This episode sponsored by: Nomad GCS  |  Discover Kalispell Chamber  |  Workforce Flathead

In this episode we're talking about the Kalispell Chamber, its core programs, and its Venture Boldly initiatives. Topics include:

• Tagen's role as the new Board Chair
• Workforce issues: The role of the Workforce & Special Initiatives Director, child care, Workforce Flathead, workforce housing solutions
• Kalispell & Flathead Valley tourism: Destination Marketing, sustainable tourism, the Park Line Trail
• Driving the Venture Boldly initiatives: infrastructure, West Reserve improvements

Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.
© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800  |  [email protected]